Province scraps $3.8 billion energy plan

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The province has scrapped plans for a renewable energy project that would have cost $3.8 billion. That works out to about $2.50 a month from being added to the average hydro bill. The move comes amid rising energy costs that have hurt the popularity of the Liberal government and while the Energy Minister thought this was great news for the ratepayer, the opposition parties and people here in Hamilton say it’s not enough.

“The electricity experts have told me that we don’t need the energy.” According to the Energy Minister, Glenn Thibeault the province has enough clean power for the next decade. The opposition says they have so much energy they’re dumping it, often at a loss into the grids of neighbours down south.

“We’ve given away 3 billion worth of hydro in the last three years. As I said today in the legislature, Ontario has become… this Premier has become the Minister of Economic Development for Pennsylvania and New York.” Patrick Brown, Ontario PC leader.

The Progressive Conservatives say it’s bad policy. Meanwhile, NDP leader Andrea Horwath blames rising rates on privatizing parts of Hydro One.
“You can’t privatize the electricity system and expect people’s bills to go down … it doesn’t work that way.”

The Liberals who have been in power for 13 years say they’ll begin consultations soon for a new long-term energy plan that will be released next year. A group fed up with hydro prices will be protesting out front city hall Wednesday night at 5 pm.